Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
in Detail

Lockheed's
Magnum Opus

In relatively few years after its public appearance in the Gulf War, the F-117 has arguably become the best-known
shape in the skies besides great oldtimers like the Concorde and the Jumbo
Jet. Almost twenty years after its first flight, the aircraft still looks
like a product of an era yet to come.

Its conception was preceded by years of studies
performed with utmost secrecy since mid-1970s. The research
program Have Blue culminated in two proof-of-concept aircraft
porduced and flown by
Lockheed. When actual full-scale fighter was designed, Lockheed made
extensive use of components and equimpent from in-service aircraft, not
only to reduce costs, but to maintain secrecy so that many F-117 costs
could be recorded as "spares". As a result, the F-117 has a nose
gear from A-10A, main wheels from F-15E, cockpit displays from F/A-18
Hornet, avionics from F-16 and so on.

In operational use, the F-117 is a tactical fighter
intended for precision attacks against high-value targets. The first
operational unit
was released for flying the F-117 in 1983, but for six following years it
only undertook night flights at Tonopah Test Range to maintain strict
secrecy. It was not until 1988 that the existence of the type was
officially acknowledged by Pentagon, but even then with only a single -
and faked - photo
being released to the press.

The aircraft was put into action for the first time during
invasion in Panama in December 1989. But it was three years later, during
operation Desert Storm, that the F-117 gained publicity and fame widely
exceeding its numerical share of the Allied air forces. In a
high-technology conflict the F-117 became an undisputed star. Today, as its
existence and true shape is no longer classified, it is a valued guest of many airshows throughout the world. The pictures presented
here have been taken in June 2000 at ILA in Berlin, Germany.

Lockheed F-117A
in Detail

Every big and small detail of the
amazing F-117 airframe is seemingly governed by but one principle -
reducing the aircraft's detectability. Everything about it is angular to
reduce radar signature, including the wing section seen here - built from
three flat surfaces on the top side an6d two on the underside.

Although the resulting shape may
not be desrcibed as graceful, there is a strange and powerful magic in all
its purposefullness.

This particular aircraft, serial no. 81-10798,
serves with 9th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, a Gulf
War unit (at that time the wing was designated 37th FW)

Photo: Burkhard Domke

The nose in particular looks like
a space pyramid. It's extreme tip houses the rear-facing floodlight which
can illuminate the refuelling port at the fuselage spine for night aerial
refuelling operations.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

As can be seen, the five cockpit
windows are entirely flat, surrounded by heavy
framing. An interesting break from all-round vision pliexiglass
domes of most modern combat aircraft.

Irregular dogtooth patterns are
used along cockpit rim and other operning doors and panels to disrupt the
possible radar reflection from these elements.

Below the cockpit there is a port
for FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared sensor), covered with fine wire mesh.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

A view from another angle reveals what's inside the FLIR port. The
rotating dome houses the infrared detector used to acquire targets at
night from long range. Augmenting the FLIR is the downward-looking
infrared sensor located in the similar port beside the front undercarriage
bay. The DLIR stays peering at the target during the attack phase. There
is also a laser designator for precision guidance of laser-guided
missiles.

Note the red outline of the port
recess.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

Although not seen in this photo,
the cockpit transparencies are covered with ultra-thin film of gold. In
favourable lightning conditions it would show in a form of distinct gold
tint to the windows.

The name on the cockpit rim reads Lt Col Frank Rogers

Photo: Burkhard Domke

Close-up of the forward cockpit
area showing details of the HUD (head-up display) and forward cockpit
decking.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

Another close-up shows details of
the ACES ejection seat.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

The Nighthawk uses a quadruplex
fly-by-wire avionics system which picks flight data from these four probes
in the extreme nose of the aircraft.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

The use of fine mesh over engine
intakes makes them reflect radar waves in the same way as a flat surface
would.

Note small yellow elements visible in the inner row of the mesh, the
purpose of which could not be determined.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

This is a very interesting photo of the
port intake area because gives some idea about the factory treatment of panel
lines of the F-117 airframe. They have all been covered to create a solid
surface with stripes of material resembling... some kind of tape.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

A glimpse under the wing reveals
two hexagonal access panels and a more conventional-looking navigation
light. The angular fairing to the rear is the forward cover of the main
wheel, here in closed position.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

The v-tail consists of two swept
all-moving surfaces of complex cross-section. The control surfaces have
multiple role of elevators, rudders, and auxiliary ailerons all in one
unit. A term ruddervons was used in the press to describe their
function.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

More detail of the v-tail with
topside of the aircraft visible in the background.

Again, the entire upper surface is solid without uncovered panel lines,
curiously with an exception of two brake-chute compartment doors just in
front of the tail (the authors wouldn't be surprised if they get taped
shut prior to any 'hot' mission). The "beacon" at the far end of the photo is the previously
mentioned floodlight on top of the cockpit frame.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

View of the wing elevon
arrangement with engine exhaust nozzle to the left. The exhausts are
formed into narrow slits to help cool down the efflux gases thus reducing
the infrared signature of the aircraft.

A noteworthy detail is small stencil showing the shape of the aircraft in
plan view. It's purpose could not be determined.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

Single front undercarriage unit
betrays its decendancy from A-10 Thunderbolt. Note last digits of the
serial number repeated in the wheel fork.

Barely visible opening on the fuselage underside is the DLIR port
(downward-looking infrared).

Photo: Burkhard Domke

A detailed view of front wheel
cover's inner side.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

Two good views of starboard main
undercarriage leg and wheel.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

Finally, concluding this
walkaround, the port main undercarriage viewed from the fuselage
centerline outwards.

Photo: Burkhard Domke

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